System for permanent electrode placement utilizing microelectrode recording methods

Abstract

A lead stimulation/recording system is provided, which is a combination of a permanent DBS stimulating lead and a recording microelectrode. The DBS lead has a lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end of the lead, the lumen having an opening on each end of the lead. The microelectrode is configured and dimensioned to be insertable into the DBS lead from either the distal or proximal opening of the DBS lead, thereby permitting the microelectrode to be placed before, concurrently with, or after placement of the DBS lead. In addition, the system may be used with known microelectrode recording systems and methods of inserting the electrodes, such as the five-at-a-time method, the dual-microdrive method, or the single microdrive method.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for recording and stimulating excitable neural tissue, the system comprising:
 a microelectrode, configured and dimensioned to be completely passable through a lumen along the axial length of a stimulating lead, commencing from either a first opening or a second opening of the stimulating lead; and 
 a removable connector for attaching and detaching the microelectrode from the stimulating lead, the removable connector including a locking mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a threaded connection, a set screw connection, a spring loaded connection, a Bal Seal connection, and a collet connection. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation lead contains a conductor coil-defining the lumen. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation lead has, as its proximal end, a connector portion that is angled from the remainder of the lead. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation lead has an array of electrodes placed on the distal portion of the lead in an in-line placement. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation lead has an array of electrodes placed on the distal portion of the lead in an in-line placement. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a recorder configured for recording the neural tissue with the microelectrode. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an insertion cannula configured for inserting the microelectrode into the neural tissue. 
     
     
       9. A system for recording and stimulating excitable neural tissue, the system comprising:
 a stimulation lead, having a lumen along its axial length, the lumen having two openings, a first opening at the proximal end of the lead, a second opening at the distal end of the lead; 
 a microelectrode, configured and dimensioned to be completely passable through the lumen of the lead, commencing from either the first opening or the second opening of the lead; and 
 a removable connector attached to the distal end of the microelectrode. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the removable connector includes a locking mechanism. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a threaded connection, a set screw connection, a spring loaded connection, a Bal Seal connection, and a collet connection. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the stimulation lead contains a conductor coil-defining the lumen. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the stimulation lead has, as its proximal end, a connector portion that is angled from the remainder of the lead. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the removable connector is configured to remove the microelectrode from the stimulation lead. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a recorder configured for recording the neural tissue with the microelectrode. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an insertion cannula configured for inserting the combination of microelectrode inserted within the stimulating lead into the neural tissue.